Automatic index table



May 26', 1959 c. s. KASPER AUTOMATIC INDEX TABLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 15, 1957 INVENTOR. C466 6'. W BY May 26, 1959 c. s. KASPER 2,887,913

AUTOMATIC INDEX TABLE Filed April 15,1957

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 645's 6. flasyer p77 IVE/S May 26, 1959 c. s. KASPER AUTCMATiC INDEX TABLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 15. 1957 INVENTOR. 646$ 61 Kasper fi PM! ,ss1,91s AUTOMATIC INDEX TABLE Cass S. Kasper, Grosse Pointe, Mich. Application April 15, 1957, Serial No. 652,998

' 2 Claims. 01. 77-64) This invention relatesto automatic index tables, and more particularly to devices for inspecting or performing machining operations on a plurality of workpieces on'a production basis. f

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved automatic index table for the inspection, assembly or machining of workpieces which is of extremely simple and efiicient construction and wherein the work index dial and'tool holder plate are easily interchangeable for.

various processes.

It is another object to providean improved automatic index table of this type which is versatile in nature and capable of performing various processes in which the duration of tool engagement as well as length and speed of stroke are readily adjustable. i

It is also an object of the inve'ntionto provide a novel and improved automatic, index table having the above characteristics, and in which the table is clear of obstructions so that feeding chutes or other apparatus can be placed at will on different parts of the table and machining operations may be accomplished from the side of the work index dial.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent frornithe'subsequent description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a, suitable form of the automatic index table o f this invention showing the construction of the baseand location, of the hydraulic pump and motor; x V

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the table indicating a typical arrangement of reject and outlet tubes;

Figure 3 is a detailed cross-sectionalview inelevation of a portion of the device showing theindex pawl operating cylinder, the center post cylinder and the construction of the work dial and toolholding plate;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan View taken in cross section along the line 4-4 of Figure 3 andshowing the configuration of the ratchet teeth and pawl;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view in cross section taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 3 and showing; the center post arm and guide, partsbeing removed for clarity; and r l Figure 6 is an elevational view taken in the direction of the arrow 6 of Figure 5 and showing the mannerin which the center post arm may control the center post.

cylinder valve. v a

The invention, which is generally indicated at 11 in Figure 1, comprises a base generally, indicated at 12 having a lower frame 13, uprights 14, and a table 15,;tlie, table being of generally rectangular shape asshown in Figure 2. A removable side cover plate shown partially nitecl States Patent at 16 may be provided on one side of, base12 for access purposes. 17 having a recess 18 at one side i v and 2, and on the hydraulic tank is an electrichniotor 19 which drives a. hydraulic pump Mounted within the base is a hydraulictank' asjseenin Figures 1 This is retraction of piston 23 will raise and lower post 28, they ball joint allowing and center post.

Table 15 is provided with a circular central aperture 29 in which is mounted a central support member 31, this member having an outwardly extending flange 32 above the table. A bushing 33 is rotatably mounted in a bore 34 of member 31, and center post 23 extends through bushing 33, being supported by bearings 35 and 36. Post 28 projects above bushing 33 and has a tool holder plate 37 secured and keyed thereto. Plate 37 is adapted to carry a plurality of inspection devices, machining tools such as boring and drilling units, or workpiece handling devices at a plurality of index stations circumferentially spaced around the periphery of the plate. For example, as indicated in Figure 2, plate 37 may have eighteen apertures 38 for mounting such tools or other devices, these apertures being equidistantly spaced. A hold-down cap 39 is bolted to the top of center post 28 to hold plate 37 in place. Figure 3 shows an operator 40 for a height indicator as being spring mounted within a suitable sleeve 41 in an aperture 38, this operator being engageable with the top of a workpiece 42 shown in dotdash lines when center post 28 descends along with plate 37 in order to operate a height indicator (not shown). For further details of such an arrangement, reference is made to Kasper Patent No. 2,493,147 dated January 3, 1950, which shows suitable means for the operation of similar indicating devices. It will be understood however that instead of carrying such devices, apertures 38 may carry motor driven tools such as drilling devices. An example of such a tool is shown at 43 on the left hand side of Figure 3, this tool being operated by an electric motor 44 supported by a bracket 45 secured to plate 37.

A plurality of apertures for misalignment between the piston 46 are also provided in plate 37, these apertures being circumferentially spaced on a circle of smaller diameter than apertures 38 and being equal in number with such apertures. Apertures 46 are each adapted to hold a locking pin 47 seen best in Figure 3, this pin extending downwardly from plate 37 and being adapted to cooperate with the work index dial in a manner hereinafter described.

Disposed on supporting member 31 is an annular wear plate 48 provided with a plurality of radial slots 49 as best seen on the left hand side of Figure 3. Wear plate 48 is held in position on member 31 by a plurality of bolts 51 and hold-down members 52. A work index 53 is secured to a flange S4 of bushing 33 by bolts 55, these bolts passing through a secondary dial 56 of smaller diameter than dial 53 and mounted thereon. Dial 53 is pro vided with a plurality of apertures 57 equal in number and spacing to apertures 38 of tool holder plate 37, the centers of both sets of apertures being on the same diameter. Apertures 57 are adapted to hold liners 58 for retaining workpieces 42, these liners being interchangeable to suit the size and shape of the workpiece being handled. Slots 49, which are equal in number to the sets of apertures, are of a Width at best equal to'the largest size of workpiece to be handled, the inner ends of the slots being aligned with the apertures when in their indexed position so that workpieces 42 may pass through the slots if the latter are uncovered.

Each slot is provided with a shutter 59 slidable betweenan extended position closing the slot and a retracted position opening the slot. Each shutter 59 is operable by an actuator 61 between its extended and retracted positions. A similar arrangement of slots and shutters is described in detail in the aforementioned patent. Aligned with each slot 49 is a vertical passageway 62 in support member 31, and selected passageways 62 may be provided with chutes such as that shown in dot-dash lines at 63 in Figure 3 to receive an ejected workpiece 42.

Secondary dial 56 is provided with a plurality of apertures 64 adapted to hold bushings 65 for receiving the lower ends of locking pins 47. When dials 53 and 56 are indexed as later described, slight misalignments might occur between apertures 38 in plate 37 and apertures 57 in dial 53. When plate 37 is lowered, one or more locking pins 47 will enter bushings 65, thus insuring accurate alignment between the apertures of the tool holder plate and work index dial. It should be noted that locking pins 47 could be mounted if desired in available apertures 38 so as to enter bushings provided in apertures 57, if the nature of the process will permit this arrangement.

The means for rotating work index dial 53 comprises a ratchet 66 secured to the lower end of bushing 33 and surrounding center post 28. A pawl 67, best seen in Figure 4, is pivoted at 68 to a slidable member 69 actuatable by a dual piston 71 in a cylinder 72. A spring 73 urges pawl 67 against rachet 66 so that when the pawl is advanced to the right in Figure 4 ratchet 66 will be rotated counterclockwise, the pawl riding idly over the ratchet teeth when it is retracted. As will be described below, appropriate means are provided for controlling the fluid flow to cylinder 72 so as to index work dial 53 the distance between adjacent apertures after each vertical reciprocation of center post 28. Cylinder 72 is secured to the underside of table 15 by a bracket 74.

Means are provided for preventing rotation of center post 28 and tool holder plate 37 during their vertical reciprocation. In the illustrated embodiment, this means comprises an arm 75 clamped to center post 28 as best seen in Figures 1 and 5. This arm projects transversely from center post 28 and has a pair of smoothly machined side surfaces adapted to ride between a pair of vertical "guide members 76 and 77, as seen best in Figure 6. Members 76 and 77 are integral with and extend downwardly from a segment-shaped flange 78 secured to the underside of table 15 by bolts 79. A pair of guides 81 and 82 are provided on members 76 and 77 respectively for engaging arm 75.

In addition to its function of preventing rotation of center post 28, arm 75 is also adapted to control electrical and hydraulic circuits which determine the sequence of operations during a cycle. In the illustrated embodiment, a control valve 83 for cylinder 22 is mounted on member 77, this valve having an operating lever 84. A pair of spaced fingers 85 and 86 are adjustably secured to the outer end of arm 75, as seen best in Figure 6, and these fingers are adapted to move lever 84 between its solid and dot-dash positions as post 28 reciprocates vertically. The positions of and spacing between fingers 85 and 86 may be selectively adjusted in order to predetermine the length of stroke of post 28 as well as the extreme positions of plate 37. Member 76 is shown as carrying an additional control switch 87 which is adapted to be actuated by a cam 88 mounted on arm 75. Switch 87 may be used for example to control actuation of indexing piston 71.

Additional sequence control functions could be accomplished by switches or valves such as that indicated at 89 in Figure 1 which are secured to a vertical rod 91 adjacent arm 75. More specifically, supporting rod 91 is secured beneath table 15 and extends therebelow, the lower end of the rod being held by a cross member 92 extending from the rod to a brace 93 which extends be- 4- tween the lower ends of guide legs 76 and 77. Arm 75 is shown in Figure 1 as having a projecting finger 94 for controlling unit 89. Arm 75 is also adapted to operate additional controls mounted on cross member 92 such as that indicated at 95 in Figure 1.

Operation Assuming an initial condition in which work index dial 53 is empty and it is desired to perform a plurality of machining and inspection operations on the workpieces, lines 58 of proper size and shape will be placed in apertures 57 so that workpieces 42 may be retained on the I dial. Referring to Figure 2, the workpieces may be loaded automatically from a chute 96 or may be manually loaded at a predetermined station. The proper tools and inspection devices will be mounted on tool holder plate 37, locking pins 47 likewise being secured to this plate if desired. Fingers 85 and 86 on arm 75 will be adjusted to provide the proper length and position of stroke for center post 28, and other control devices will be mounted in poition on rod 89 as required.

Assuming that plate 37 is initially in its upper position, and that a workpiece 42 is loaded from chute 96 into a liner 58, pump 21 will be driven by energization of motor 19, and cylinder 22 will be pressurized to cause descent of center post 28, arm 75 being guided between guides 81 and 82 to prevent rotation of the center post. A tool such as that indicated at 43 mounted above workpiece 42 will engage the workpiece and perform a machining operation, locking pin 47 entering the corresponding bushing 65 to insure proper alignment between the tool and workpiece. During this operation, a shutter 59 which may be disposed in a groove 49 in wear plate 48 below workpiece 42 will be in its extended position, thus supporting the workpiece. The time during which tool 43 engages workpiece 42 may be controlled by appropriate electrical or hydraulic time devices operated by movement of arm 75.

When tool holder plate 37 has been in its lower position a predetermined time, pressure will be applied to the lower end of cylinder 22, thus raising plate 37, and motor 44 will be de-energized. As the center post and plate reach their upper position, pawl 67 may be actuated by piston 71 to engage ratchet 66, thus rotating work dial 53 one increment, so that workpiece 42 is beneath the next aperture 38 in tool holder plate 37 and any tool or inspection device which may be mounted in such aperture. As mentioned previously, the fluid which be controlled by switch 87 which is operated by cam 88 as the center post reaches the upper end of its stroke. After dial 53 has been indexed, another workpiece 42 will be loaded into the next liner 58 and plate 37 will again descend. The next operation on the first workpiece 42 may be a height inspection by such means as member 39 which engages the top of the workpiece. If the part is found defective, it may be rejected at a subsequent station by causing a shutter 59 at such station to be retracted in response to a signal from the height indicator, thus permitting the workpiece to drop through corresponding passageway 62 to a reject tube 63. In Figure 2 for example two such reject tubes 63 and 63" are shown. If a workpiece passes all inspection operations, it may be finally removed through a discharge tube 63.

Should it be desired to adapt index table 11 for a different shape or size of workpiece, liners 58 may be replaced, or tool holder plate 37 and work index dial 53 removed and replaced. To remove the tool holder plate, it is merely necessary to unbolt hold-down cap 39 on center post 28. Work dial 53 may be removed merely by removing bolts 55.

It will thus be seen that an extremely efiicient and versatile automatic index table is provided which can be quickly adapted to various types of jobs involving inspection, machining or assembly, and in which the index dial operates piston 71 may and tool holder plate are readily replaceable. Furthermore, because of the novel driving means, substantial flexibility in terms of duration and speed of movement of tool holder plate 37 may be achieved, since the fluid flow to cylinder 22 may be readily controlled by appropriate hydraulic or electrical equipment actuated by arm 75. It should also be observed that, due to the novel arrangement of the parts, table 15 is entirely clear of obstructions surrounding work dial 53 and tool holder plate 37, so that the workpieces are accessible to operators or to machine tools which approach the workpiece from the side.

If desired, two sets of operations can be simultaneously carried out on the indexing device if each set takes less than half the total number of available stations. Under such circumstances, feeding of the workpieces to the dial could be accomplished at diametrically opposed stations, with the workpieces being discharged before they are rotated 180. It is also apparent that the movement of dial 53 could be a multiple of single station movement by varying the stroke of pawl 67, thus permitting the dial for example to be completely rotated in nine instead of eighteen movements.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a base, a table on said base, a central apertured portion in said table, an annular supporting member in said apertured portion, a bushing rotatably mounted in said supporting member, a center post rotatably supported by said bushing, a hydraulic cylinder connected to the bottom of said post for moving the post between raised and lowered positions, means for indexing said bushing in successive increments, a tool holder plate removably secured to the upper end of said center post, circumferentially spaced apertured portions in said plate for supporting workpiece-engaging devices, said last mentioned apertured portions being equidistantly spaced from each other, a work index dial removably secured to said bushing below said plate, said dial having a plurality of workpiece-supporting apertured portions adapted to be coaxial with the apertured portions of said plate, a wear plate disposed between said dial and said supporting member, passageways in said supporting member below at least some of said dial apertured portions, openings in said wear plates between said passageways and said dial to permit workpieces to exit downwardly therefrom, and shutters for closing said openings.

2. In combination, a base, a table on said base, a central apertured portion in said table, an annular supporting member in said apertured tatably mounted in said supporting member, a center post rotatably supported by said bushing, a hydraulic cylinder connected to the bottom of said post for moving the post between raised and lowered positions, means for indexing said bushing in successive increments, a tool holder plate removably secured to the upper end of said center post, circumferentially spaced apertured portions in said plate for supporting workpiece-engaging devices, said last mentioned apertured portions being equidistantly spaced from each other, a work index dial removably secured to said bushing below said plate, said dial having a plurality of workpiece-supporting apertured portions adapted to be coaxial with the apertured portions of said plate, an arm secured to said post and extending radially therefrom, a pair of guide members secured to the underside of said table, said arm being slidably disposed between said guide members to prevent rotation of said post and attached plate, a control valve for said hydraulic cylinder mounted adjacent said arm, and means on said arm for operating said valve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,140,299 Conradson May 18, 1915 portion, a bushing ro-, 

